The book contains 14 chapters prepared by more than 30 international
metal biology experts. The first chapter presents concepts and examples
of cellular inorganic chemistry. There is consideration of the sources
of metals, their molecular actions, metal–ligand binding,
toxicity, metal-ion exchange chemistry, and common methodologies and
assay systems.

Chapter 2 contains data about molecular and cellular biology of mercury
in kidneys. The data of this chapter include transport of mercury in
kidneys, urinary excretion of mercury, subcellular molecular
interactions in renal epithelial cells, mercury and autoimmunity, and
factors modifying the renal handling of mercury.

Chapter 3 highlights essential and toxic metal transport in the liver.
The following aspects are discussed: models used to study hepatic
transport, determinants of hepatic metal transport, peculiarities of
various hepatic parts and organelles in metals uptake and release,
transport across the canalicular membrane into bile and others topics
of metals properties in the liver.

Chapter 4 consists of data about molecular and cell biology of lead.
There is consideration of lead transport and cellular uptake in
kidneys, cardiovascular system, immune and reproductive systems, in
developing of renal cancer. Two of the last parts of this chapter focus
on pharmacological consideration and Pb-based nanomaterials.

Chapter 5 describes transport and biological impact of manganese. There
is discussion on manganese transport in lungs and brain and molecular
mechanism of abnormal Mn levels.

Chapter 6 focuses on metallothionein (MT) and metal homeostasis. There
is analysis of MT proteins, gene structure and function, MT in health
and disease, including neurological function.

Chapter 7 is devoted to the cellular and molecular biology of
iron-binding proteins. There are data about iron metabolism and
transport and also iron homeostasis including regulation by the hormone
hepcidin.

In the chapter 8 there is discussion on regulatory and signaling
functions of zinc ions in human cellular physiology. There is a special
part of this chapter dealing with specialized cells that secrete
zinc.

Chapter 10 is devoted to ionic and molecular mimicry and the transport
of metals. The data related to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury,
selenium, and such toxic metal forms as arsenate, chromate, molybdate,
and vanadate.

Chapter 12 deals with metals and cell adhesion molecules. There is
overview of cell adhesion and inflammatory adhesion molecules,
including integrins, cadherin/catenin complexes and discussion of
potential mechanisms underlying the effects of metals on these
molecules.

Chapter 13 is devoted to iron metabolism and disease. There is
discussion of physiology and hormonal control of iron homeostasis and
traffic, iron deficiency and overload, hereditary hemochromatosis,
ferroportin disease, hyperferritinemia–cataract syndrome, and
other pathological conditions due to abnormality in iron metabolism.

Chapter 14 highlights the influences of metals on immune function. There
is consideration of metal effect on immune mechanisms, immunotoxic
effect of nonessential metals, and metal-mediated immunosuppression and
immunomodulation.

Each chapter contains a basic bibliography related to book topics and
subject index at the end of the book. The book will be useful for
researchers in biochemistry, molecular biologists and physicians, and
teachers and students of medical schools and universities specialized
in cellular and molecular biology of metals.